Microsoft word - july 98.doc

Issue No: 2Date: 6 July 1998
You have all been involved in keeping a close
watchman the situation in Singrauli vis-à-vis
The process of settling outstanding claims of PAPs
and pending compensations for encroached forest
issues. Your support to the cause of the people
land (popularly referred as section four land) are
affected by past and on going World Bank
the subject of peoples court (Lok Adalat) being
investments has been critically important and
organised when IMP took up this matter at the
valuable. The struggle of people affected byon
appropriate levels. The District Judge (Sonbhadra)
going expansions of ash dikes in Rihand with your
presided over two sittings of Lok Adalat (April 13
timely support compelled the Bank to admit that
and 25).At these sittings two issues were raised by
rehabilitation and environmental mitigation in the
NTPC power project (1993) have been problematic
and consequently an Independent Monitoring Panel
a) The compensation rate for Bijpur, Adhaura,
Dodhar and Sirsoti villages whose land was taken
possession of in 1982 itself should be enhanced
Action Alert from Dana Clark CIEL in April gives
keeping in view the cost of replacement of land in
you all an update on the status of the Singrauli
1998. These villagers had received part payment
claim to the Inspection Panel including the
according to Rs 10,000=00 per acre as the
activities of the IMP. Here's an update on the
provisional rate several years ago, balance payment
was withheld pending final disposal of their claims
in the court of District Judge. The rate being
Mr.R.Venkatramani, Chairperson, MP visited the
negotiated should therefore fairly compensate them
project area between 11-12 April and between 20-
for the loss suffered due to the fact that their land
23 May. During the May visit he was accompanied
was taken in 1982 but the official date of handing
by Mr. Abhay Jha ( who joined the IMP to establish
over was 1988. The injustice of the situation is that
a local office. His role primarily is to collect
they are being asked to forgo the payment of
petitions from PAPs, tabulate these as well as the
compensation, interest for the years 1987-88.
response from NTPC, meet and interact with PAPs
and NTPC and authorities; randomly cross check
b) The other important concern was rectification of
the data presented by XIDAS and record of PAPs
land records in Jhilo and Khamariya villages where
made available to the IMP and liaise between IMP
NTPC had acquired land in 1986 for permanent
ash dike and pipeline. The part payment of
compensation was made and in many cases, on the
The main purpose of the May visit was to introduce
basis of forged land records, where a large number
Mr.Jha and to report back on the work of IMP till
of outsiders in a desire to usurp R&R benefits got
March and the proposed action plan for next three
themselves included in the list of PAPs in
months (April - June ). During the meeting various
connivance with authorities. Some PAPs from
Jhilo demanded that compensation disbursement in
Jhilo should be withheld pending an onsite
from the site 2 months ago after the IMP confirmed
verification of land records and rectification of list
allegations of harassment by contractors at the
of PAPs. A representation to IMP was made before
instance of NTPC. The Bank was urged to be
25 April, IMP Chairperson has assured that Jhilo-
cautions in not succumbing to suggestion from
Khamariya disbursement would necessarily await
NTPC on redeployment of machinery with a view
to complete the remaining earth work which will
block the last rain water outlet. The IMP was
The next sitting of Lok Adalat will be after
requested by the PAPs to look into this aspect
Chairperson IMP holds discussions with NTPC
thoroughly in their May visit. IMP inspected the
particular points on the site and the low laying
fields which face threat of submergence. The PAPs
During the May visit, IMP Chairman also proposed
and representatives of NTPC project and corporate
to take up with NTPC the issue of responsibility for
office were also present. The PAPs refused to
bearing registration cost on land which PAPs may
believe the assurances by NTPC that no harm
want to eventually want to buy from the balance
would be caused to their fields if the earthwork is
payments. Besides, PAPs raised individual cases
continued. They also showed a map to convince
such as non-availability of work for stage I PAPs
the IMP. The PAPs have categorically urged the
particularly, non- payment of wages for work done
IMP to intervene such that no further construction
is carried on pending the settlement of the dispute
over their rehabilitation . In the meanwhile, two
IMP informed that petitions submitted by PAPs to
days before IMP visit, dumper trucks started to
the Panel had been passed on to NTPC for the
dump earth on the unfinished patch to join the two
latter's comments. In case of Bijpur petitions
embankments before dumping becomes impossible
NTPC's response has been received, is being
because of coming monsoon due to rise in level of
tabulated, will then be made available to the
Rihand reservoirs. This dumping of earth was
concerned PAPs via the IMP local office. All
being done at peak hot hours and at night when
records and reports will be in local language.
most PAPs are indoors and asleep. The poclain
machinery has not yet been redeployed and is
• The 19 PAFs of Mitihini who are refusing to
working at an alternative ash dike site- i.e. the
central ash dike to raise its height for further
rehabilitation as per their choice expressed fear
accommodation of ash slurry. The PAPs logic is
that their low lying fields would be submerged
that since IMP hopes that the issue of R&R
package acceptable to Mitihini PAPs who remain
continuous ash dumping since August 97 and
will be resolved shortly, it makes sense to keep the
because the last remaining rain water outlet is
construction suspended till the time package is
being blocked as a result of further earth works.
finalized and implemented. The NTPC could
speed up raising the height at central ash dike
which could hold ash slurry for next few months
visited the site,( They were accompanied by
villagers were not inclined to take NTPC
civil staff among other NTPC officials. As
assurances seriously because of the past and recent
reported by the WB staff on returning from the
experiences of betrayal . For example, NTPC had
visit, they did not meet the villagers who fear
used a map to mislead NHRC to deny that no crops
submergence despite being urged to do so. The
had been damaged on 15-16 January. IMP later
established the truth in the allegations vide its
They reported that NTPC project authorities rule
out any prospects of submergence and that NTPC
• Pass books indicating details of land and
wanted the WB to consider permitting them to
property acquired for every individual PAP as
redeploy heavy machinery. This machinery, it may
well as rehabilitation measures provided have
be emphasized, had been pulled out completely
been circulated to Mitihini PAPs. these pass
books suffer from several shortcomings which
there is a rule in NTPC whereby 60 percent of
must be straightened out before similar pass
labour supplied through contractors should be
books are made for PAPs of other villages. No
PAPs. This rule is not being complied with and
two statements provide the same information
malpractices flourish such as adjusting non-
e.g. information in individual pass books is at
PAPs against the identity cards of PAPs.-
presentation made for the benefit of IMP in
knowledge of skilled work are asked to take up
unskilled, hazardous jobs like jobs in the coal
handling Plant etc. Whereas they can easily be
Vindhyachal
adjusted in jobs in accordance with their
• May 22 IMP visit to Atraila and Shahpur
villages to assess the condition of some PAPs
• School buildings constructed out of R&R funds
affected by V, ash Dike who have still not been
are in the control of private parties who charge
able to move out because their resettlement has
exorbitant fees unaffordable by most PAPs who
not been arranged for last several years. These
villagers are living dangerously close to the ash
slurry. Some of them have ash slurry flooding
• Harassment in availing project hospital service
their houses:- It is also learnt that M.P State
as well as even the most limited exemptions
pollution Control Board has recently issued a
provided in heath insurance scheme were made
show cause notice to vindhyachal (NTPC) for
both at Vindhyachal and Rihand. A review of
allowing the flow of ash slurry into the Rihand
serious limitation of medical insurance for
PAPs was urged during all the visits of IMP.
• The issue of the responsibility of maintenance
IMP is closely monitoring the condition of
of resettlement colonies has long been debated,
PAPs of Atraila and Shahpur. IMP informed that
for last several years. Based on the failure of
NTPC has promised to construct a wall which
SADA (Special Area Development Authority in
apparently would keep the ash slurry from flowing
M.P. which is now converted into Metropolitan
towards the fields and houses of PAPs. In the
council) to deliver the goods, the maintenance
mean time their resettlement is being negotiated.
of resettlement colonies had been taken over
directly by NTPC. The GHK study reports also
May 23 IMP Meeting with Vindhyachal Stage I
reflected similar concerns about dissatisfaction
with SADA. Yet, it is understood that the
maintenance of resettlement colonies has been
already handed over to the Metropolitan council
• Women PAPs complained that Waidhan Metro
in Waidhan. On the one hand matter concerning
politan council extracts a tax from vegetable
maintenance is under review by IMP, why then
decisions in opposition to popular sentiments
and feelings are being taken in such hurry and
vending and pleaded that such tax is unfair as
without consultation with PAPs/ NGOs. This
neither they nor their men had been provided
was raised as a concern before the chairperson
with permanent and sustainable livelihood by
IMP. The Metropolitan Council is a new name
for the same corruption ridden SADA. It is also
a matter of concern that project management sponsored NGOs consisting mainly of NTPC
• PAPs complained arbitrary dismissal from
cooperative societies who are provided petty
employees are also being similarly handed over
contracts; non-availability of work in jobs
maintenance jobs in Rihand. Diamond club,
which are entrusted to contractors- most jobs of
Chetna, Malviya Mission are manned by NTPC
perennial nature are such that PAPs can be
absorbed without creating an additional mechanism of cooperative societies. In fact
• PAPs from Stage I Protested that preference in
continues unabated. Intelligence wing of CISF
Jobs/ allocation of shops etc. being given to
have deputed two men at Shivaji Complex to
keep a watch on visitors, as well as on Mr Ajay
• WB, we learn, is contemplating financing a
Pathak, one time activist, now an active
massive loan, for a Regional Development plan
supporter of struggles for fair rehabilitation and
for Singrauli. Such a plan was subject of
sustainable development. This was also raised
discussion at a two day meeting organised by
as a concern before IMP during May visit.
• As regards the location of local office of IMP
the PAPs in Vindhyachal were strongly in favor
area, Peoples Science Institute Dehradun were
of its location in resettlement colonies in
the only two NGOs invited apart from NTPC
premises. This was particularly so because
authorities and agencies. The non-transparency
accessibility of PAPs to IMP office will best be
of the entire process, inadequate consultation
ensured. PAPs would feel more confident about
with all concerned and the haste in pushing a
IMP if its secretariat is within the community,
regional plan was protested. A signature
campaign was organised where memoranda was
• PAPs arrested in December 1997 had earlier
submitted to Sidhi and Sonbhadra collectors
appealed to the Panel for with drawal of cases.
objecting to approval of any plan without
One of them, a school student from Navjeevan
proper consultation. April 11-12, Banwasi
Vihar, again mentioned his case that he was not
part of the demonstration but was arrested as a
representatives of people of Singrauli, NGOs,
result he missed his exam. Mr. Venkataramani
experts and activists. The two day meeting
urged Mr. Kolhe of NTPC Delhi to pursue the
resolved that unless effects of environmental
withdrawal of such prosecution as he thought
• Lastly, the Human Rights watch report
resettlement is properly addressed, people of
the region will not accept any one- sided plan to
beyond one year. We need your support in
expand industries and install new ones. The
lending strength to this demand. Decades of
meeting also resolved that the mitigation of
betrayal, have eroded the faith of PAPs in the
social and environmental damages should be
authorities, relationships are sour. IMP is
arranged not by financing another WB loan but
reviewing various policy issues and suggesting
from the royalty which the various agencies
responsible for causing damage in the region
Slowly the PAPs are responding by petitioning
are asked to pay as penalty, (Report of 11-12
before IMP. One of the PAPs remarked "this
Feb. meeting -contact Ellen Schachgold, Head,
is the first time we feel satisfied that at least we
are being patiently listened to. There should
• People have been raising the issue of not
therefore be a wide support for extending the
according PAP status to people whose lands
were acquired for transmission lines. In some
cases acquisition have been substantive and
development and look forward to your continued
rendered the PAPs resource less. A large
number of compensation cases pertaining to
transmission lines remain unsettled for last
several years. IMP had earlier assured it would
Bijpur dharna was called off subsequent to written
take up the matter with Power Grid Corporation
assurance from IMP that pending resolution of
which now deals with transmission net work.
rehabilitation controversy no fresh work will be
• Inspite of a lot of fact finding by NGOs, human
undertaken on the ash dike. As of now the
rights groups, NHRC, violation of personal
commitment from NTPC as recorded in IMP record
freedom of PAPs and activists surveillance
of proceedings (19-6-1998) is being complied with.
• Efforts are on to explore possibilities of
Government land for PAPs still in ash dike areas.
• IMP team extended for 6 months beginning
• IMP meeting with chairman NTPC to discuss
key issues is taking place today (6-7-1998) in Delhi
• Vimal of NAPM and Madhu Kohli meet Ellen
Schaingold on 4-7-1998, a summary of meeting is being sent via a separate message.
• Efforts are on to speed up disbursement of
compensations at Rihand. A list is being prepared to identity all such cases of non-disbursement.
• Work on identifying jobs even as contract
labour for PAPs at Rihand has begun in pursuance of IMP proceedings of 19-6-98 (available with Delhi Forum).
Ajay Kumar Madhu Kohli